- Zarathustra is written as a prose poem that was written in ten days and explores Nietzsche’s concept of an Overman (a being beyond a human, without the prejudices of society, he creates his own values and purposes). Ironically written in a biblical style (Nietzsche was opposed to Christianity because it lacked individuality)
- Begins with the protagonist descending from a cave after ten years alone
- Here Nietzsche introduces the idea of the overman – Zarathustra wants to teach people about the overman
- Man is simply a bridge between animal and the overman – it is every persons goal to reach such superiority
- Advocates individuals separating themselves from the herd
- Values struggle and hardship i.e. climbing a mountain
- Free spirit of the overman is represented by laughter and dance
- Highly critical of mass movements – praised individuality
- Anti-Christian, nationalism and democracy because, in his opinion, they produce similar, weak-minded people
- Believed events will repeat themselves again and again
- Reminiscent of gospels in the Bible – highly ironic considering Nietzsche’s views
- Speaks of “the rabble” as the masses, who he disliked intensely
- Spoke of the “will to power” as the force that drives all life
- Nietzsche himself was insane for the last fifteen years of his life, and remained silent for the last ten.
- was famous for his use of aphorisms “God is Dead”, which shape and influence the style of journalism today and can be seen on a daily basis in headlines and advertising slogans
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